Difficulties of Defining Terrorism
Christine King
CRJ440
Dr. Alanna Smith
July 12, 2015
Abstract
Terrorism has been around for hundreds of years and through the years the definition of terrorism has changed. While the United States knew of terrorism it wasn’t a main stream issue for Americans, these types of activities happened in other countries, not ours. Unfortunately that is not true, which we found that terrorism can and did reach our shores and change our lives, this unfortunate realization took place on September 11, 2001. Of course this was not the first terrorist activity that occurred on American soil, it is just the one that slapped American’s in the face telling us that American was not “untouchable”, we are just as vulnerable as other countries. Defining terrorism has been an issue for many years, the different branches of the federal government cannot even agree on a definition of what terrorism is let alone different countries. To back up the above I have listed some of the different definitions from different branches of the federal government and from other countries (White, J. 2014).
• The Intelligence Community is guided by the definition of terrorism contained in Title 22 of the US Code, Section 2656f(d): (www.cia.gov) o The term "terrorism" means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. o The term “international terrorism” means terrorism involving the
What is Terrorism? The FBI definition of Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. The goals and objectives of terrorism can vary. They can used terrorism to gain money and power, or control over a government, or it can be used as a form of hate crime. There goal depends on what there objects is? For example if a small group is unhappy with there government they can use terrorism to try and change the government or take control of it. Another form of terrorism is the use of force to intimidate a certain group of people for money or power. Terrorism can also be used to
Terrorism is defined as an act of violence that is committed by an organization or a single person in order to be heard. Terrorist acts are usually based on a couple factors such as, historical grievances, foreign policy decision, poverty, and religion. Terrorism is not a new act amongst the world but something that has been around since the beginning. To understand a criminal you must think like a criminal, and understand why they committed a crime or a violent act, then you can prevent and conquer.
Terrorism refers to the use of threat and violence to frighten and coarse mainly for political reasons. A group that practises the vice is the Al-Qaeda.
They elucidate that terrorism is a “premeditated, politically motivated, violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups of clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience,” (National Institute of Justice).
There is no single, universally accepted definition to define terrorism but the U. S. Code of federal regulations define it as any violent act or acts dangerous to human life that violates the criminal laws of the U.S. or any State or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the U.S. or any State. (18 U.S.C § 2331). The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) divides terrorist attacks that face the U.S. into two broad categories - international and domestic. (18.U.S.C. § 2331).
Terrorism has been around since at least the First Century. Terrorism is a crime in which people or groups of people use, or say they will use, violence in order to get what they want from the government or society. A terrorist is a person who uses violence and fear to achieve political
If one were to ask a cross-section of individuals to define what terrorism means, there would ultimately be multiple definitions similar in many aspects but not able to be unified to create a single definition. Terrorism is a
Can you remember where you were on the fatal day of September 11, 2001? When people think of terrorism, the first thought is usually about that dreadful day. Terrorism is defined as, “Premeditated and unlawful acts in which groups or agents of some principal engage in a threatened or actual use of force against human or property targets” (p. G-23). Terrorists often uses violence or threat to advance their agenda or goal. Terrorism is very widespread because it can occur on a state, religious, and international level. State terrorism is known as terrorism from above, and is committed by governments against enemies of the state (p. 40). Religious terrorism is terrorism committed against anyone who poses a threat to their religion. They often commit violent acts in the name of their religion and belief if they defend their religion, they will receive paradise in the afterlife. International terrorism occurs by terrorists who are not from the country that they are attacking. Terrorism should not be justified because it kills innocent people, poses a threat to international laws, and causes terror.
Terrorism as defined in the document Global information about Terrorism, is “The use of force or violence
As mentioned earlier, terrorism is and can be defined in many different ways. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has defined terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate a government and the civilian population or any segment.” According to Terrorism Today The past, The Players, The Future the term for terrorism (in recent years) means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. When reading a book about terrorism there will be different topics of terrorism or even different types. For example in majority of the books I read about terrorism, topics such as international terrorism, tourist groups, religious terrorism, domestic terrorism (left/right wing) and etc. are mentioned. International terrorism involves citizens of the territory of one or more countries. Left wing terrorism is
From the lips of the FBI, “Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objective.” On September 11, 2001 the United States of America experienced such actions, it was the largest terror attack experienced by any country. The affect this had on America was tremendous,
Terrorism can be defined as the use of violence with political intent that causes more psychological damage than physical. This definition is debated among scholars as well as nations. The United Nations definition does not necessarily fit the same description as every country on the globe. The United State has committed acts of terrorism onto other countries as well as its own citizens. Historically some of the largest world conflicts arise with events considered strategic warfare. Necessary actions that ensure the survival of democracy. This however will discuss events considered especially heinous.
What is Terrorism? Gus Martin (pg. 3) states terrorism is a dark character of the human behavior. Cities and nations have been threatened and brought down, leaders killed by groups and organizations committing this in defending in what they believe to be a greater good. Political violence, bombing, massacres of civilians, torture of governments can all be acts of terrorism. Terrorism can be defined as a motivated violence involving political reasons and has the ability to target an audience (Martin PG 5). Terrorism in the modern era can be viewed as conflict between adversaries, one side wager war on terrorism while the other side is viewed as a holy war. Pg. 5
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines terrorism as "the unlawful use of force or violence against person or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or a segment thereof, in furtherance of political social objectives." The goals of the terrorist is to create fear, draw media attention to their cause, create destruction in areas that will effect the most people, harass and embarrass governments, actions such as these makes a government look as if they are not capable of securing their own country. (Dempsey & Forst, (2016)
Terrorism is a difficult concept to define because definitions are not intended to be true or false but a reflection of evident phenomena that have common properties that result from similar causes and effects. The oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as a system of terror directed and carried out by those in power such as that in France during the revolution of 1789-1794, or a system aimed at striking with terror the individuals whom it is adopted. This definition is ambiguous because it does not provide a clear meaning of terrorism. Terrorism is a difficult concept to define because the meaning of this term has changed frequently over time (Tilly 11).